Philadelphia Flyers forward and alternate captain Scott Laughton gave some telling insight into how head coach John Tortorella’s leadership style has impacted the team’s locker room, especially following some of the controversy the Flyers have faced off the ice last season.

Speaking on the Morning Cuppa Hockey podcast, Laughton discussed how the Flyers’ new leadership has helped shape the current team both on and off the ice, especially when it comes to Tortorella’s coaching.

Tortorella is well-known for his blunt approach to communicating with his players and with media, and while it may rub some of the people the wrong way, Laughton revealed that the team regards it as a valuable way to keep them in check.

“It’s been huge,” he said. “I think you hear it in the media all the time from different people, he holds you accountable every day. It’s been huge for our young guys, but not just our young guys, but our older guys too. I think it goes a long way in the room…Everyone’s on the same page.”

Laughton also pointed out that while it may not seem like Tortorella has positive intentions with his unfiltered words, the players know that he’s always looking out for them.

He specifically referencing the time when Tortorella defended former Flyer Kevin Hayes after a reporter seemingly blamed Hayes for why former prospect Cutter Gauthier adamantly refused to join the Flyers earlier this year.

“That’s the thing with Torts—he has your back,” Laughton stated. “I think the stuff that went on with [Kevin Hayes] and all that—he doesn’t even play for the team anymore and he’s still doing that. You know exactly…well, maybe you don’t know exactly what he’s going to say, but he has your back and he’s gonna fight for you. That’s how it feels around the organization.”

Even for players that experienced some eyebrow-raising benchings (captain Sean Couturier’s healthy scratching was specifically referenced), Laughton clarified that the players know not to take anything like that to heart.

“He has your back. It’s not personal,” he explained. “He’s trying to do what he thinks is best for the team and that time, and everyone’s gotten throughout the year at some point. I think it’s how you handle it, and I think guys have a ton of respect for Torts in the room.”

With everyone in the organization bought into the culture being created, Laughton is hopeful that this team can bring playoff hockey back in front of Philadelphia fans.

“It’s exciting. We’re starting to get some energy back in the building,” he said. “It was really heartbreaking at the end of the year. It was the toughest year for me, being in a playoff spot since January and going on a skid like that…it took a while to get over that…I’ve told the guys before [that] there’s nothing like playoff hockey in Philly. It’s crazy, it’s amazing.”

But before they start thinking about making the playoffs during the 2024-25 season, they have to make it through Tortorella’s infamous training camp drills once preseason comes around.

“I think the biggest change [Tortorella has made] is probably training camp!” he joked. “You’re thinking about that one all summer. Hopefully we can play deep into the summer this year and maybe get a lap or two off the Torts test.”